How To Choose Tropical Aquarium Fish And Introduce Them To Your Tank
An aquarium can be a decorative accent for your home as well as a mesmerizing tool for relaxation. However, learning how to maintain an aquarium and keep tropical aquarium fish alive can be challenging when you first start out. That's why it's a good idea to buy hardy varieties for your starter fish. Here are some tips on fish to buy and how to introduce them to your aquarium.
Good Tropical Aquarium Fish To Try
Before you choose the fish you want, read up on different types of tropical aquarium fish, or at least get advice from the pet store. You want fish that get along with each other so they won't fight, that aren't picky eaters, and that are hardy and can tolerate the way a beginner might care for a tank and be neglectful occasionally. You might also want fish that make your aquarium colorful and fun to watch.
Some fish to consider are neons, guppies, oscars, loaches, molly fish, and angelfish. Take a look at fish at the pet store and see which ones you enjoy based on their bright colors, size, or shape. Be sure the fish look healthy and active before you buy them.
Buy Two Or Three Fish To Start
It's never a good idea to add several fish to your tank at once, even when your tank is established. When you're first starting a tank, it's even more important to add fish slowly and let the water and environment stabilize before adding more.
Set your aquarium up and let it run for several days before bringing home your fish, then just buy two or three so your new tank won't be overwhelmed.
Let The Fish Acclimate
The fish store puts your new fish in a plastic bag or container and pumps air in so your fish can breathe until they get home. It's important to go straight home since it's difficult to keep the temperature constant in a small bag of water.
Don't dump your fish into the aquarium right away. Instead, place the plastic bag still holding the fish and water into the aquarium and let it float on top for several minutes. This brings the temperature of the water inside the bag equal to the temperature of the aquarium water so your fish won't be shocked when you release them.
Once you've had your new fish for a few weeks and they seem healthy and active, you may want to add more tropical aquarium fish to your tank. Only buy a few and choose ones that get along with your current fish.
As time goes on and you allow your tank to mature, you can start buying more exotic and expensive fish for your aquarium, but you want to make sure you've established proper feeding and cleaning habits first so all your fish have long and happy lives.
